What level of suspicion is required for a Tier 2 police contact?

• A. Gut feeling
• B. Probable cause
• C. Articulable reasonable suspicion
• D. Legal evidence

Answer: (C)

For a Tier 2 police contact, the required level of suspicion is articulable reasonable suspicion. This standard is more than a mere gut feeling or unparticular hunch; it requires specific and articulable facts that would lead a reasonable officer to believe that a person may be involved in criminal activity. This standard serves as a middle ground between a mere suspicion and probable cause, allowing law enforcement officers to engage in further investigation while still respecting individuals' rights.

To clarify further, probable cause is a higher standard that is required for arrests or obtaining search warrants, whereas legal evidence generally implies admissibility and reliability in court, which is not the basis for making initial contact. Therefore, articulable reasonable suspicion is the appropriate threshold for initiating a Tier 2 police engagement with an individual, enabling officers to take reasonable steps based on observed behaviors or information at hand.